We were lucky to catch up with Rusty Fulling recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rusty , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

At Fulling Management & Accounting, our mission isn’t just something painted on a wall — it’s a calling that was forged in the trenches of real struggle, real sacrifice, and, frankly, a hospital bed.

Before founding the company, I was climbing the traditional CPA firm ladder — and losing myself (and my family time) rung by rung. I’d leave before my two little girls were awake and get home after they’d already drifted back to sleep. I was winning at the wrong game.

By late 1999, stress finally called my bluff, landing me in the hospital with severe acid reflux and sobering conversations about “esophageal cancer” — terms no young father should ever have to hear. It forced a reckoning. Life had given me a clear fork in the road: continue chasing someone else’s definition of success, or step into the scary unknown.

Shortly after returning to work, a trusted colleague dropped a life-changing bomb over lunch:
“I can’t believe you haven’t started your own company!”

At that moment, I felt a little like the story of Moses in the Bible — overwhelmed and underqualified. But I’ve learned that God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. That encouragement was the spark. Fulling Management & Accounting was born not just from ambition, but from the ashes of burnout — from a deep, soul-level need to build something better.

But the real ignition moment came a decade later. After a mission trip to Honduras, my wife and I were seriously considering moving there to do full-time ministry. Yet, when I shared that dream with a group of close friends, one wise voice challenged me with a question that hit me like a bolt of lightning:
“Maybe the mission God is calling you to… is the business He’s already provided?”

That insight changed everything.

I realized my company was my mission field. Stewardship, leadership, and community building — these weren’t side projects; they were sacred assignments right where I stood.

Today, as we celebrate 25 years, our mission is crystal clear: to bring clarity, growth, and peace of mind to business leaders who are carrying heavy loads of their own — because I know firsthand what it feels like when the weight gets too heavy.

Our story is a reminder that sometimes the greatest missions aren’t across oceans — they’re planted right under your feet, waiting for you to wake up and say “yes.”

For more leadership lessons: www.rustyfulling.com

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

If you’re like me, you didn’t grow up around boardrooms or balance sheets — you grew up around brooms and backhoes.

I was raised by two hard-working entrepreneurs: my mom, a professional housecleaner, and my dad, an electrical contractor. So, yes — I learned early how to scrub a toilet and dig a trench. Those jobs taught me the value of sweat, grit, and showing up every single day. But it was in high school that I got my first taste of the world behind the business — the numbers, the strategy, the leadership — and I was hooked.

That curiosity turned into a calling.

Today, I’m the Founder and CEO of Fulling Management & Accounting, where our mission is simple but powerful: Help business owners Get clarity, Grow profits, and Gain peace of mind.

We specialize in fractional CFO services, outsourced accounting, and business coaching. But really? We’re in the transformation business. We walk alongside growth-minded entrepreneurs to help them make sense of their numbers, make better decisions, and make it home in time for dinner — because profit means nothing if peace of mind doesn’t come with it.

What sets us apart? Three things:

1. We live and lead by our values — GRACE
That’s Growth, Represent the Client, Accountability, Champion Attitude, and Eternal Impact. These aren’t posters on a wall (especially now that we’re fully virtual) — they are part of our weekly culture conversations and hiring decisions.

2. We know who we serve best
Defining our Ideal Client has been a game-changer. We’re not focused on industry niches, but rather focused on working with business leaders of high integrity, well respected and see value in outsourcing.

3. We build with purpose
In April 2020, when the world was shrinking, we expanded — moving from our beautiful office in Olathe, KS to a fully remote model. Today, our team spans across 7 states and we serve clients in over 25. And the culture? Stronger than ever.

The heartbeat of our company is something I call the 4 Cs:

Every leader needs a Cheerleader, a Coach, and a Community. But when you embrace the fourth C — Charity-mindedness — everything changes. You stop waiting to be poured into, and start pouring into others. That’s where leadership multiplies.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the growth of our business — it’s the ripple effect. When our clients win, their teams win, their families win, and their communities win. That’s what drives me.

For more information: www.fullingmgmt.com

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Snowed In, Saved by Kindness: 5 Life Lessons from a Neighbor’s Act of Service

While I plowed the snow from our drive this past week, I was reminded of my neighbor Carl Primm who came to my rescue 33 years ago.

As newlyweds, Pam and I had just moved into a little country house a few months earlier. Just starting out, we didn’t even own a snow shovel. So, when the snow began piling up, we were stuck. Literally!

Carl had been a successful insurance broker. Upon retirement, he and Frieda, his bride of 40+ years, decided to do a little farming and build their dream home in the country.
When I called Carl to ask how they handled the snow removal at their farm, he simply replied “I’ll be right over.”

The next thing I knew, Carl showed up with his old Ford tractor and began plowing our drive and pulling our cars out of the snow. I’m convinced we would have been snowed in for at least a few days otherwise.

Here are 5 lessons I learned that day.

1.  Generosity Multiplies Impact
Carl didn’t just offer advice; he took action. Serving others means giving more than words—you lend your time, skills, and tools to make a difference. His generosity transformed a difficult situation into a moment of community and care.

2.  Leverage What You Have to Help Others
Carl didn’t need something fancy or new; he used his old Ford tractor to meet the need. Often, the resources we already have—whether skills, tools, or time—are all we need to serve others meaningfully.

3.  Lead by Example
Instead of telling me what to do, Carl showed me how to handle the problem through action. Servant leadership is about demonstrating solutions, not dictating them.

4.  Act Quickly When You See a Need
Carl’s immediate response highlights the importance of urgency in service. Delayed help might lose its value, but timely intervention can turn someone’s crisis into relief and gratitude.

5.  Service Builds Relationships
By showing up when needed, Carl didn’t just plow snow—he built trust and connection. Serving others creates bonds that go beyond the immediate act, strengthening community and fostering lasting goodwill.

These lessons remind all of us that acts of service, no matter how small, can leave an Eternal Impact when done with intention and heart.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

JUST KEEP GOING

Our oldest daughter was 5 years old when we came upon a grass fire that had gotten out of control. We were on a familiar road that we traveled almost daily. By the time we realized what was happening our vehicle was surrounded by smoke and flames. I still remember feeling the heat from the fire radiating from outside the vehicle.

The smoke had become so thick I couldn’t see the road in front of us. Should I go forward and risk the situation getting worse? Should I back up and risk running into an unsuspecting motorist coming up behind us? I was in a bit of a panic.

Then a small voice from the car seat in the back said “Daddy, just keep going.”

In that moment, my daughter’s 4 little words carried a powerful truth—sometimes, the only way out is through. We made it safely past the fire that day, and 25 years later, I still am reminded of that simple lesson.

Challenges, whether in life or business, can feel overwhelming, but staying stuck in fear or hesitation only makes things worse. When the path ahead is uncertain, and the heat is on, the best thing you can do is take a deep breath, trust your instincts, seek counsel from trusted advisors and just keep going.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fullingmgmt.com / www.rustyfulling.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rustyfulling?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3Bm1%2B02XfqQga2CopwocxzfA%3D%3D